I loved working with the juxtaposition between the stocky dwarf and elongated insectoid Umber Hulk. The help emphasise the disparity in the relationship I put the Dwarf into the shadow cast by his monstrous companion. This in turn helped provide the different focal points of light against dark and vice versa.

"Harsk really began to wonder why he'd agreed to investigate the mine, especially when he was yet to step foot inside it!"

This is a dramatic cliffhanger moment, and I really wanted to convey that through the composition and palette. Lots of strong lines lead our eye to the point of impact between Harsk and the creatures emerging from the crevasse. This is accentuated by the use of saturated colour set against more muted surroundings.

I have a very extensive walkthough on my blog showing the entire process:[link]

Having conquered the dungeon the adventurers seeks a spot of R&R in the local town, but all the citizens can see is a sudden influx of wealth and an opportunity to make some of their own.

I relished the chance to do a busy street scene, and opted to for a top down view to give a panoramic sweep, and slight detachment to the viewer. The two far background areas, top left and right, provide focal points with the eye being led between these two by following the course of the adventurers. Who in turn provide focus through the attentions of the crowd.

"Any human eyes witnessing the twisted form of that city soon wished they hadn't when they saw the horrors within..."

I really enjoyed painting this epic scene showing the underground city and its denizens.

I chose a low a horizon line and 3-point perspective to help with the impression of awesome scale. The eye is drawn to the centre by the 'train track' cavern walls which contrast with the strong central vertical silhouetted by the central light.

The palette is fairly desaturated against the glowing green lichen, which helps give depth and lead the gaze around.

This is the cover artwork to the Lords of Waterdeep expansion borrd game - Scoundrels of Skullport. It was deliberately designed to echo the composition of the original cover artwork, which I created and can be seen here:[link]

These were a great triumvirate of iconic types to illustrate. I chose a low viewpoint and underlighting to add atmopshere and menace to the scene.

A wlkthrough of the creation of the apinting can be found here: [link]

"The Lords of Waterdeep are a conclave that rules the ancient city through all means possible - their actions shaping it for both good and ill..."

I was asked to place three different, and iconic, 'Lords' upon the box cover. I went for a degree of symmetry, including the dark robes alongside the light armour, whilst also adopting a low viewpoint to imbue the figures with menace and authority. the sun helps create both a focal point, and dramatic lighting, an effect augmented by the clouds.

I had great fun creating this image of two Thri-Kreen stopping by an oasis to refill their canteens, when they are pounced upon by a Water Drake.

The curving sinuousness of the Drake made for a great framing device, with it's head and tail both pointing to the victim. I reinforced this as the focal point by using other lines of force (primarily in the background) and through the lighting effect.

A full walkthrough of my process - including over a dozen images - can be found on my blog.[link]